Chief selector hints of new faces for BD Test series

■Dasun Shanaka in line for T201 recall

- BY SA'ADI THAWFEEQ

SRI Lanka's chairman of cricket selectors Upul Tharanga stated that opportunities will be given to new players during next month's two-Test series against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka are due to play Bangladesh in the first Test at Galle from 17-21 June and the second Test at the SSC from 25-29 June. This will be Sri Lanka's first series of the World Test Championship (2025-27) new cycle.

"We had done well in the WTC (2023-25) only the final series against Australia we didn't perform well," Tharanga told Daily FT.

"There won't be any big difference to the team but we may give a chance to one or two new players. There is room for that to happen because after this series we don't have a Test series till around July next year. Players like Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha were in the Test squad against Australia but didn't get an opportunity to play. There is also Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake who have performed well with the Sri Lanka 'A' side. We may not be able to give all of them a chance but look as much as possible to give one or two."

Tharanga expressed satisfaction with the ODI squad which he said had done well over the past few months to rise to no. 4 in the ICC team rankings, but was not too happy with the T20I squad.